4 years after selling my W124 it's time to change again. Been thinking about the current E-Class, can anyone give any advice? I have read all the stuff about the Sensotronic braking system but has it really been dumped from mid 06? or just dumbed down? The current brochure goes on about brakes automatically applying gently to dry the disks and the one I drove had a traffic light hold function - they can't do that with plain old hydraulics surely?

Anything else to be thinking about? - also looking at Chrysler 300c, what Mercedes components are shared?

Mick

__________________
Mick J
'08 Chrysler 300CRD (MB OM 642 engine)
'95 E220 estate
'89 230TE (R.I.P.)

For a little more money a Mercedes W211 would be my favorite over the nondescript Chrysler 300C.

__________________
1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

---------------------------------------------------------
1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

just stay away from anything pre-05......

honestly, the 07-up is really the one that is least bug-free

__________________
former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

The Sensotronic brakes on early W211s were electric with a hydraulic back up. A complete mess, the system was awful to use (in terms of pedal sensitivy) and in some instances it will completely fail leaving you without any brakes at all.

Of course, M.B. will deny this (of course, as they do will almost all of their mistakes). But its true, it happened to a good friend of mine and he is an excellent driver.

So, to get a W211 just stay completely AWAY from any model with Sensotronic. The self-drying brakes are a different set-up.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

My mother just bought a 2007 E550, and it is the first year W211 without the electronic braking system.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Zero/zip/nada problems with SBC on our '06. Brake pedal feel is fantastic, especially compared to the GL which has the worst brake pedal feel ever.

Continual decontenting of W211 due to falling dollar describes loss of SBC as much as anything.

W211 is light years better car than W124--go for it.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Like I said, 07-up. 03/04s had other gremlins that got better in 05, but those were still saddled with the elec. brakes. My grandmother had an 03; trust me, worst pedal feel ever

__________________
former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

Need to repeat: there is NO problem with SBC.

A few minor production glitches have by now been fixed by dealers on any used W211 you'll find.

They'll even put on a new hose to make it quieter if you ask.

Warranty on SBC is extended to 10 years.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Hmmm... with all due respect, if the Sensotronic brakes are as glitch free as you proclaim: why Mercedes decided to revert production to the regular and more tradional braking system on the face lifted E-class???

If all glitches were corrected, why go back to the "old fashioned" system and throw away millions of euros invested on a "new and improved" wonder?

Many techs at the dealer and independents have told me the worst stories about Sensotronic. They all agree is just a big (and risky) failure which the factory reluctantly (and silently) conceded upon by reverting to the regular braking setup.

Forget about pedal feel, no extended warranty (up to 10, 20 or 30 years) would keep me happy knowing that at any time the braking system on my car would suddenly fail.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

My uncles 07 E350 4Matic has been flawless so far, nice car in all respects.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200